Effect of treatment with low-dose warfarin-aspirin on activated factor VII

Blood. 1995 Jun 1;85(11):3034-9.

Abstract

Factor VII is an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. We performed a prospective study to evaluate the effect of combined low-dose warfarin-aspirin on activated factor VII (factor VIIa) and to determine if abruptly stopping this treatment is associated with a rebound in the level of factor VIIa. Thirty-three patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease were treated with combined 3 mg warfarin and 80 mg aspirin daily for 8 weeks. The factor VIIa level was measured before treatment, weekly during treatment, and 2 weeks after stopping treatment. The mean percent of pretreatment levels of factor VIIa for weeks 1 through 8 of treatment were 60%, 60%, 72%, 70%, 71%, 70%, 74%, and 87%, respectively (P < .05 compared with pretreatment for weeks 1 through 7 inclusive); 2 weeks after stopping treatment, the level was 122% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 111% to 133%; P < .001 compared with pretreatment). The mean percent level of factor VIIa on-treatment was 74% (P < .001). Factor VIIa is reduced by 26% on average during treatment. This finding provides further rationale for the antithrombotic effect of low-dose warfarin. The results suggest a rebound in the factor VIIa level may occur after treatment is stopped. The potential rebound and its clinical importance should be evaluated by further studies.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Factor VIIa / analysis
  • Factor VIIa / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Factor VIIa / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prothrombin Time
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Warfarin
  • Factor VIIa
  • Aspirin